OSHGroup 032: Open Source Hardware BioPrinter – A Ripe Field for Development

Ever need an extra liver? What about a new face for a face transplant?

Would you like to understand how cells migrate across a gradient of chemical signals?

Well – why wait for some fancy-shmancy university to develop these awesome technologies when you can start to explore a world so full of possibilities that even the most forward thinking minds can only begin to graze the surface.

What the heck am I talking about? Well it is bioprinting – its like 3D (or 2D) printing – but instead of using plastics, you use cells or some type of organic living material.

I know – sounds a bit sci-fi, eh? Welcome to the future Marty!

Now don’t get me wrong – you won’t be printing a replacement pinky finger tomorrow – but there is surely some good science you can do in the comfort of your local bio-maker space – a place like BioCurious – a biology focused makerspace in California that hosts the Bioprinter Community Project.

I spoke with Patrik D’haeseleer, one of the project developers, who confirmed to my dismay that printing a replacement heart is still a ways off for the DIY bioprinter (or anyone organization for that matter) – but the amazing truth is simply this…

The field is wide open – come play bio-ball.

You could easily be the first person to apply bioprinting technologies too any number of scientific endeavors.

Listen to the show to hear all about the Bioprinter Community Project – I am sure it will get you hopped up on ideas.